Thread: Tasmanian figured blackwood billets 1/4 sawn

HI James,

Assuming they haven't floated away in your floods I'll take #3 off you. We could arrange cash and handover some time at your convenience (When your flood emergency is over, I do understand you guys have been through hell this past fortnight)

I'm in Epsom, on the north of Bendigo. (Mobile # is 0407483911)

Hi Bob,

I still have Billet 3...somewhere. I remember yelling to my mate as the water was pouring over our flood barriers into the shed and house "Get all that fancy wood onto the top shelf, its worth more than most of the tools in here!" Just finished cleaning the mud out of the shed yesterday, I'll start sorting out the shelves in the next few days.

As you mentioned, it has been hell. Our house went under, 2 cars, the old homestead we are renovating, two rentals, my parent's house, plus 85% of the town. We only have one petrol station and the pub open after a full week of cleaning, it really is a disaster zone. We left wading through metre deep water with a bag each and the cat to a passing fire truck, just like you see on the news reports. We were fully prepared, floodwall a foot higher than the record 2011 floods, 5 pumps, flood barriers, the lot. But when the rail line washed away allowing a huge flow of water to pour into the western side of town from the south, we were done for. It came up another 400mm past the 2011 flood level in about an hour.

Fences are all flattened at the farm, new workshop just went under but......the wood shed with over 20 years of milling stacked inside it missed by 4 inches! Phew, that would have really upset me I reckon. But in true Aussie style the community has rallied and we are pushing on with the massive clean up. I've had the tree crew, bobcat and 25t excavator all working on clean-up jobs, pulling carpets, loading trucks, whatever it takes really.

But in all the craziness of the event, we still found some humour. I have a rule with my three daughters: "You never have to worry if dad's not worried". A friend of ours asked my 14 year old daughter "Were you scared when the water started pouring over the walls and you were getting flooded?" She simply replied "No way, I just looked over at dad and he didn't seem worried so I just kept on going." Bloody little troopers they are.

I'll give you a call Bob when I get a moment to find the timber...if it's not floating to Mildura.

Cheers,

James.

WOW James.

Our local church here in Epsom is involved in doing bits of relief here and there, but reading it first hand from you really drives home how devastating it has been.

Man, I love your 'Aussie Spirit.'

Take care and just get to things like those bits of wood when it suits. It'll probably be years before I actually do anything with it. My wife thinks I'm a squirrel I'm sure (and she doesn't know half od what I've squirrelled away)

Glad to hear you're making progress. I had not known of Rochester until I saw your address (and realising you were too far away to buy some nice timbers) , and now you have been in the news non stop.

Hi James,

I remember when I visited a few weeks back to pick up the sassafras you showing that wood shed with all it's riches sitting proud on a built up mound. Four inches, that's bloody close.

I'm really sorry and sad to hear of all the devastation, however your humour (black) shines through. All power to you and the rest of the Rochester residents in your recovery.

See you soon.

Ozymandiaz

Hi again James,

Thought I'd better catch up. Did you ever find those billets?

I got waylaid myself I'm afraid. Got hit with a moderate stroke late November then some serious health issues for my godmother and godfather, pretty much write off 3 months of life for me.

But still interested in those billets mate.

Oh, and I hope life is getting back to normal

Hope things are okay with James as he hasn't been since the end of November.